Artist:
Boston Marriage
Genre: Musical Play
Background:
Boston Marriage is a 1999 play by American playwright David Mamet. The play revolves around two women at the turn of the Century America who are in a "Boston marriage," i.e. a relationship between two females who are intimate both physically and emotionally. His previous works include Oleanna, The Cryptogram and The Old Neighborhood.
The play is directed by Mamet himself. The technical team includes, set designer Sharon Kaitz and J. Michael Griggs, costumes by Harriet Voyt and Lighting by John Ambrosone. The talented cast includes Rebecca Pidgeon, Felicity Huffman, and Mary McCann.
Anna and Claire are two scheming ladies of fashion who live together. Anna is excited because she has recently become the mistress of a very wealthy man, who has gifted her an enormous emerald and an income to match. Claire on the other hand has fallen for a respectable young lady and is trying to convince the jealous Anna to help her. Although there is no sexual ambiguity in the play, both of Mamet's characters vividly express their sensual desires. Their entire plan comes aground when the emerald necklace Anna has given Claire is recognized by the girl as one that belongs to her own mother! In short, her father is Anna's protector.
Mamet's play is a little different from his earlier productions. Firstly it features an all-female cast, secondly the story is set in a historical rather than a contemporary setting. But Boston Marriage after all is also quite similar in many ways to Mamet's other plays. Like many of Mamet's work, it is written in three economical scenes in which the dialogs are simplified to their core around a dynamic through line. However historical the play it still shows how the marginalized rise bravely against a system that oppresses them. The women in Boston Marriage struggle to maintain an unaccepted love relationship. According to the Mamet, the sacrifices, the jealousies and duplicities revealed are the inevitable result of any long-surviving "unity of two."
The play is a brave look at relationships that have been outlawed by society but with a humorous twist. Come enjoy its dynamic story and maybe you will end up learning something in the process. Contact your on line ticker vendor and get the tickets to the show!
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